Baguio City: Mt. Cabuyao

Last weekend I visited Baguio City hoping to find some good subjects to shoot. In my last visit two years ago, I only had with me a mental camera and took "mental shots" of places since I did not have a DSLR yet and wasn't into photography. Though i think those mental photos did not turn out right either.. So this time, albeit the numerous times I went to the City of Pines, I felt like a tourist again! And to make things more exciting, I went to the places I have never set my foot on (see image)

Radar on Mt. Cabuyao.

I have read articles and blogs that Mt Cabuyao and Mt Sto Tomas are the highest peaks in Baguio. From there you will have a 360-degree view of the entire city from the vantage point of God and clouds dance in different formations within your eye level. The road going there is a haven for hikers and mountain bikers, for its rugged and adventurous terrain and it wasn't a popular idea to bring a sedan. So I did.... It's nothing serious, really,  just a 45 degree or so uphill ride on rocks with the size of basketballs along a path fit for one vehicle at the edge of a cliff. I was literally driving with one eye shut and cursing myself for my rebelliousness.

The radar is seen from the city proper as two small ears on top of a mountain. They usually call it Mickey Mouse for resembling the ears of the Disney character.
 Upon reaching the summit, the "ears" were surprisingly huge, but the access to the picturesque view is blocked by a military facility. As I was looking for other locations for the quest for a good shot I noticed two angels at the other side of the fence serving as guards to heaven's balcony:  JC and Jjamppong.

They are brothers who live inside the compound as their parents work as caretakers to the facility. Their features are strikingly unique with  dark eyes, rosy cheeks and brown skin. These Mongolian-looking kids are just awesome subjects and too love to be photographed!

 I realized that capturing the right shots doesn't always come from the obvious. The element of surprise can create wonders. In my experience, I planned to go through the worst terrain uphill because my mind was set on scenic mountain shots of baguio. And now, these two kids, with nothing but pure emotions have just moved mountains from my perspective.